Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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PAMPHYLIA. Side. Circa 460-430 BC. Stater (Silver, 18 mm, 10.74 g, 9 h). Pomegranate (Punica granatum) with remains of the blossom below; all within a dotted cable border. Rev. Head of Athena to right wearing crestless Corinthian helmet with raised visor, circular earring and pearl necklace; all within incuse square. Atlan 16 (O15/A14). SNG von Aulock 4762. Attractive and boldly struck. Die break on the reverse and struck from slightly worn dies, otherwise, about extremely fine.
The pomegranates on the coins of Side (and elsewhere) tend to give their modern cataloguers a problem when it comes to their illustration: they often show it upside-down! On this coin - and many others to be sure - you can see, at the top, a thin stem, which connected the fruit to the tree branch, while the tripartite remains of the flower is clearly seen at the bottom. Obviously, the pomegranate hangs down from the tree and, thus, the remains of the blossom are on the bottom.
The pomegranates on the coins of Side (and elsewhere) tend to give their modern cataloguers a problem when it comes to their illustration: they often show it upside-down! On this coin - and many others to be sure - you can see, at the top, a thin stem, which connected the fruit to the tree branch, while the tripartite remains of the flower is clearly seen at the bottom. Obviously, the pomegranate hangs down from the tree and, thus, the remains of the blossom are on the bottom.